Animal trap



oct. 27, 1931. B, E. CLARKSON 1,829,264

ANIMAL TRAP Patented ct. 217, 1931 BOWEN E. CLARKSON, OF KINGSTREE, SOUTH CAROLINA ANIMAL TRA? Application led October 1, 1930. Serial No. 485,781.

This invention relates to animal traps, and more particularly to animal traps of the self setting and everset type.

The primary object of the invention is to .5 provide a trap of this character including a rotary closure normally held in its open position and closed by the movement of the baitV pan, means being*v provided for `causing the closure to move to itssopen position after 1 thel animal passes from the trap into the cage, forming a part of the trap.

Another object of the invention is to provide means. for adjusting the closure operating means so thatit will be exceptionally sensitive, to the end that the trap may be used for trapping small animals.

TvVith the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides'in the combination. and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may bel made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spiritk ofthe invention.

Referring to the drawings: Y

Figure 1 is a plan view ofthe trap, the cover thereof being shown in its open position.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure'l. j

Figure 3 is a sectionalY view taken on line 3 3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional View taken on line 4 4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5--5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6'*6 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the trap comprises a body portionV indicated generally by the reference character 5, the samebeing preferably'rectangular in formation, however, it is to be understood Ythat the design and shape of the body portion may be changed, to meet various requirements.

The top of the body portion is open, and is closed by means of the closures 6 that are hingedly connected to the body portion, the closures being so constructed that the outer edge of one closure overlies the adjacent closure to provide a waterproof cover.

The front wall of the body portion is formed with an entrance opening 7, which may be of any desired shape. The reference character 8 designates a shaft that has its ends journaled in openings formed in the end walls of the body portion, the shaft being of a length t0 extend through the front end of the body portion, as clearly shown by the drawings.

Secured to the shaft 8, is a disk-like closure 9 which is formed with an opening 5 adapted to register with the entrance opening 7, to allow animals to pass into the body portion. A coiled spring 10 is mounted on the shaft 8 and is adapted to normally hold the shaft under tension to rotate the shaft in a '7G clockwise direction to rotate the closure and move it from its open to its closed position v or vice versa.

Ears 11 extend inwardly from the front end wall of the body portion and are provided '75 with openings to receive the ends of the shaft 12, to which the arm 13 is secured, the arm 13 extending through an opening in the pin 14, which passes through an opening formed in the front end wall of the body portion. '80

Connected with the shaft 1Q., is an arm 15 that extends to a point near the rear end wall of the body portion, where it is formed with a downwardly extended end portion 16 to which the bait pan 17 is connected. Thus it '85 will be seen that as the bait pan is moved downwardly by an animal attempting to remove the bait therefrom, the shaft 12 is moved, drawing the pin14 inwardly to its inactive position. Extending downwardly and in communication therewith, a rotary closure at one end of the body portion, a spring for normally urging the closure in one direction to close or open the body portion, pins extending through one end of the body portion,stops on the elosureto engage the pins to restrict movement ofthe closure, a rod connected with one of the pins and carrying a bait pan at one end thereof, said rod to be actuated by the action of an animal endeavoring to remove material from the pan, and means for restricting the movement of one of the pins.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my oWn, I have hereto aiXed my signature.

BOWEN E. CLARKSON. 

